Dianella plant named ‘Dinky Di’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Dianella  plant named ‘Dinky Di’ characterized by an upright plant habit, blue-green leaves, dense shoots with short and narrow leaf blades, a short overall height and pale blue flowers.

Botanical Classification: Dianella revoluta

Variety Denomination: ‘Dinky Di’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present Invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Dianellaplant, botanically known as Dianella revoluta, and hereinafter referredto by the name ‘Dinky Di’. The new cultivar was discovered and selectedas a single plant growing within a bed of Dianella plants. The exactparents are unknown. The cultivar ‘Dinky Di’ was discovered in 2003 inDromana in the state of Victoria, Australia.

The first asexual reproduction of the new Dianella was in 2003 bydivision in Dromana, Victoria, Australia. The unique features of thisnew Dianella are stable and reproduced true to type in successivegenerations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘Dinky Di’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘Dinky Di’ as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. An upright plant habit.    -   2. Blue-green leaf color.    -   3. Dense shoots with short and narrow leaf blades.    -   4. Short overall height.    -   5. Pale blue flowers on stems up to 17 cm. high.

The closest comparison cultivar is Dianella ‘DR5000’. Dianella ‘DinkyDi’ is different from ‘DR5000’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. ‘Dinky Di’ has a more compact habit than ‘DR5000’.    -   2. ‘Dinky Di’ has shorter and narrower leaves than ‘DR5000’.    -   3. ‘Dinky Di’ has denser shoots than ‘DR5000’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph illustrates the distinguishing traits ofDianella ‘Dinky Di’. The photograph is an overall view of an 8 month oldplant. The photograph was taken using conventional techniques andalthough colors may appear different from actual colors due to lightreflectance, it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographictechniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Dianella has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations inenvironment such as temperature and light intensity, without, however,any variance in genotype.

The following is a detailed description of the new Dianella cultivarnamed ‘Dinky Di’. Data was collected Dromana, Victoria, Australia fromplants raised in 150 mm. pots in commercial grade, soil-less pottingmix. In the following description, color references are made to TheRoyal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 1995 Edition.

-   Botanical classification: Dianella revolua cultivar ‘Dinky Di’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Unknown.        -   Male parent.—Unknown.-   Propagation: Tissue Culture or Division.-   Root description: Fine and fibrous.-   Plant description.    -   -   Plant form.—Upright perennial herb.        -   Plant height.—11 cm.        -   Plant width.—About 9 cm.-   Growth habit: Erect, very short to approx 11 cm with very dense    shoots.-   Leaves:    -   -   Leaf blade.—Attitude erect, width narrow to maximum 1 cm,            length 6 to 8 cm, upper side color yellow-green (141A),            lower side color yellow-green (141A to 141B), glaucosity            strong, resulting in blue-green overall appearance, shape            ligulate, venation parallel, not prominent. apex acute, base            rounded, cross section concave, margin flat with small,            irregular cilia. Basal sheath: length 1 to 2 cm, width 4 to            6 mm, color: 141A, Anthocyanin coloration absent.-   Flowers: Flowers on panicles up to 17 cm. high typically developing    in spring through summer and early fall; 10- 16 flowers on each    panicle.    -   -   Flower bud.—shape: ovate, length: 7-10 mm., width: 1-2 mm.,            color: 77A.        -   Flower.—Diameter: 12-18 mm., height: 8-10 mm., perianth            violet (88B); tepals: six in number, shape: ovate, 6-12 mm.            in length, 3-4 mm. in width, apex: acute, base: rounded,            margin: entire, texture: smooth (both surfaces), color: 88B.-   Reproductive organs: stamens, six in number, 5-8 mm. in length, with    swollen filaments 2-3 mm. in length, color: 137A, anther color 6A,    ovary: position: superior, diameter: 2 mm., color: 137A. Peduncle:    length: 17 cm., diameter: 4-8 mm., color: 137A. Pedicel: length:    8-12 mm., diameter: 1-2 mm., color: 137A.-   Fruit/Seed: Fruit and/or seed production has not been observed.-   Disease/pest resistance: Disease and pest resistance has not been    observed.-   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Dianella have been observed    to tolerate temperatures ranging from 0 to 35 degrees. C.

1. A new and distinct variety of Dianella plant named ‘Dinky Di’, asdescribed and illustrated.